What is the World Jumping Challenge (WJC)?

The aim of the FEI World Challenge series is to offer athletes who, under normal circumstances, cannot take part in international competitions due to various factors (travel cost and distances for example), the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country. These “hybrid” competitions are meant as a bridge between the National and first international level of competition with the aim of helping NFs develop the various disciplines in their country.  (FEI World Challenges exist in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Vaulting, Driving and Para Dressage.)

 

The WJC is open to all Athletes from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach their 14th birthday.  Athletes may ride more than one Horse, but the results of only one Horse will count. A Horse may compete with only one Athlete.  Athletes and Horses participating in the FEI Jumping World Challenge do NOT need to be registered with the FEI, but both must be fully registered with ESNZ and have a Jumping Annual Start.

 

Athletes having participated at more than 3 International Jumping events in competitions at 1.35m and higher in the same year are not eligible to compete.

 

Our participation in the WJC

 NZ will be participating in Category A : 1.20-1.30 m, with competitions in both the North and South Island.  All the riders in the FEI Jumping World Challenge are competing over the same courses using the same arena size (65 x 45m) and designed by a Course Designer appointed by the FEI. Best two scores from competitions one, two and three are counted towards the final results, and athletes must take part in a minimum of two, and a maximum of three competitions to be eligible for the Final. No Athlete can take part in the same competition twice to be eligible for the final – e.g. You cannot compete in Competition 3 in Christchurch and Competition 3 in Auckland.

North Island

Competition 1: 16-18 Oct – Poverty Bay A&P  (Poverty Bay Showgrounds)

Competition 2: 21-23 Nov – Brookby Showjumping (Papatoetoe Pony Club)

Competition 3 (Final & YOG):  19-21 Dec – Auckland Christmas Cracker (Pukekohe A&P  Showgrounds

South Island (2 competitions only)

Competition 2: 18-19 Oct – Otago Spring Show (Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds Mosgiel)

Competition 3 (Final & YOG): 5 – 7 Dec – Canterbury Xmas Cracker (Dunstan NEC Chch)

Read all the rules here – 2025_WCHA-S_Rules_Clean.pdf

 

The Final of the World Jumping Challenge – 2026

The first and second placed athlete from each regional zone will be invited to the Final. Only athletes that have achieved a result of 12 faults or less will be qualified for the Final.

 

At the final, the athletes will compete on borrowed horses. They will be able to ride their borrowed horse in a flat work, and jumping session before the competition starts. The Final opens with a Welcome Competition, before the first and second qualifiers. The top ten athletes will progress to the Final, with the remaining ten athletes competing in a Farewell competition.

Read all the rules here – Rules_WCHA-S_Final_2025_Clean.pdf

 

 

 

The Youth Olympic Games

While the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are a separate competition to the World Jumping Challenge, the only way to achieve your Certificate of Capability (CoC) needed to compete in the YOG, is to compete in the third competition of the World Jumping Challenge – held in Christchurch (5-7 December) and Pukekohe, Auckland (19-21 December). To achieve a Certificate of Capability, the athlete’s total result must be no more than 8 penalties over the two rounds of competition three at the World Jumping Challenge.

 

To be eligible to participate in the Youth Olympic Games, athletes must be below the age of 18 years during the Games and therefore must have been born between 14 November 2008 and 31 December 2011.

 

NZ’s place is not guaranteed and is subject to final allocation by the IOC in April of 2026. The qualified quota spot is qualified for the NZOC, not the individual that achieves it. A selection will then take place from those Athletes who have achieved their CoC to fill the spot.

 

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, 31 October – 13 November 2026, where 24 athletes will be invited – a maximum of one per nation – to compete individually and in regional teams.

 

 

To summarise the World Jumping Challenge (WJC):

  • Height – 1.20 -1.30m
  • Open to all Athletes from the beginning of the year in which they reach their 14th birthday.
  • Athletes may ride more than one Horse, but the results of only one Horse will count.
  • A horse may only compete with one athlete.
  • Neither horse nor rider needs to be FEI registered, but must be with ESNZ.
  • Three competitions in the North Island
  • Two competitions in the South Island.
  • Cannot compete in the same competition twice.
  • Athletes must compete at a minimum of two, maximum of three competitions.
  • Athletes top two scores to count.
  • The top two overall ranked Athletes from NZ will be invited to the WJC final on borrowed horses.
  • Finalists must have a total score of 12 faults or less to be eligible.

 

To summarise the Youth Olympic Games (YOG):

  • Height 1.20m – 1.30m.
  • A Certificate of Capability (CoC) must be obtained to be eligible to be selected.
  • The CoC can be obtained in the third competition of the WJC – in Christchurch or Auckland.
  • The Athlete must complete the two rounds of the competition with 8 faults or less to gain their CoC.
  • The athlete to represent NZ at the YOG will be selected from those who have achieved their CoC, regardless on which individual gained the qualification.
  • The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, 31 October – 13 November 2026, on borrowed horses.

 

What do I need to know as a rider?

  • No FEI registration needed.
  • There will be a trot up inspection in front of the Ground Jury and FEI vet – so get practising!
  • Get your horse gleaming for a chance to win Best Presented at the trot up.
  • Competing more than one horse? You must declare your nominated mount before the first round of the first competition.
  • Your nominated horse remains the same for the duration of the WJC.
  • You must ride your nominated horse first.
  • Competed at more than three international events (1.35m+) this year? Sorry, you aren’t eligible for the WJC. (Excluding Young Riders).